Days

Day1:Arrival in Armenia

Day2:Yerevan – Garni – Geghard - Yerevan – Aghveran

After breakfast at the hotelwe will have short briefing on the tour, board bus and will drive to the North towards Garni village. We will start our hike from village Hatcavan. We will pass through picturesque canyon of Azat river and see amazing basalt rock formation, a result of volcano eruption. This amazing geological monument is called “Symphony of Stones”. Our hike will be finished in Garni village, where we will visit 1st century Garni pagan temple, the only survived example of sacred architecture from antique period, and dedicated to a heathen god, probably to Mitra, the god of the sun. After Christianity the temple was used as a summer residence of Armenian Kings described as ‘‘A House of Coolness‘‘. In Garni village we will have a lunch with lavash baking. After the lunch we will visit the magnificent monument of medieval Armenian architecture Geghard Monastery founded in IV century A.D. (at that time called Ayrivank or a “Cave Monastery”) and rebuilt in 1215, when as a legend says the name Geghard was given as the legendary spear - Geghard - (that pierced Christ) was brought there. After excursion in Geghard we will drive to Aghveran village, located 50 km North to Yerevan, where we will check in a very nice hotel and resort center. After check-in we will have dinner in the hotel and will enjoy different entertainment attractions, like billiards, tennis and table tennis, the swimming pool and the gym. Overnight in the hotel.

Day3:Aghveran – Hankavan – Dilijan

After breakfast at the hotelwe will start our trekking towards Hankavan resort and on the way we will have beautiful scenes and views of Teghenyats and Tsakhkunyats mountains. We will have short breaks and picnic lunch near a nice mountainous lake. Finishing our program we will take minibus towards Dilijan city where, we will get to a hotel located by a dense forest. Reaching the hotel, we will have dinner and stay for overnight.

Day4:Dilijan –Gosh – Gosh Lake – Khachardzan - Sevan

After breakfast at the hotel we will take minibus towards Gosh village, where we will visit Monastery Complex Goshavank, built in the XII century. During many centuries the Monastery was one of the most important religious and educational centers of Armenia. After visiting the monastery we will take forest trail, enjoying beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and nature and having picnic lunch. Then via this forest trail we will walk to Khachardzanvillage. Reaching the village we will take the minibus and drive to Sevan. Here we will get to a hotel for dinner overnight.

Day5:Sevan – Armaghan – Sisian

After Breakfast at the hotel we will take our bus towards Armaghan mountain (2830)m. Here we will start our trekking till the top of the mountain, with a beautiful crater lake. Here there is a fascinating view to the Lake Sevan. Here we will have our lunch and will climb down. Then we will drive to the South-West towards Selim Pass, climbing up over 2,410m, following the historical Silk Road and visiting on the way Caravanserai built in 1331. Continuing our way we will drive to Sisian town. Overnight and dinner in Sisian.

Day6:Sisian – Ltsen - Tatev –– Sisian

After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Ltsen village from where we will start our hiking. The way will pass through the forests changing into alpine zone. Reaching the plateau we will have fantastic view to the surroundings and to Vorotan gorge. Continuing our way and having lunchon the the way, we will reach Tatev village where we will visit Tatev monastery built in 895-906, which is one of the most important Education and Religion Centers situated in medieval Syunik region and is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During the XIV and XV centuries it was famous for its university. On the way back we will take Tatev Wings ropeway, which is the longest two-way ropeway of the world and flies above deep Vorotan gorge opening breath-taking views of the canyon. After we will take our bus and drive back to Sisian. Dinner and overnight in Sisian.

Day7:Sisian – Smbataberd – Yerevan

After breakfast at the hotelwe will board the minibus and will drive to Artabuynk village from where we will start our hiking towards Smbataberd fortress, located on the top of mountain and built X – XI centuries with high and wide (2-3 m) pyramid type fort-walls and protected by the Artabuni River and deep canyons. Leaving the fortress we will have a coffee break and continue our way to Yeghegis village on the other side of the mountain. Here we will board the minibus and drive to Areni village, on the way visiting Noravank monastery built during the XIII – XIV centuries and situated on a ledge of a deep winding gorge of a tributary of the Arpa River. Enjoying the amazing architecture of the Monastery and Khachkars (Cross Stones), we will have a lunch in Areni village in a local house. After the lunch we will drive to Yerevan through Ararat Valley and enjoying the panoramic view of Ararat mountain. Dinner and overnight in Yerevan.

Day8:Yerevan city tour, transfer to airport

After breakfast at the hotel we will go to will visit the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts known as Matenadaran, containing over 16,000 manuscripts that document the centuries-old history of the Armenian nation, art, literature and sciences. Manuscript art is one of the most unique examples of Armenia’s medieval culture. After excursion in Matenadaran we will have free time to walk in the center of the city visiting Cafesjian Center for the Arts located in the Cascade. Inspired by the vision of its founder, the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions, derived from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection of contemporary art. This collection of more than 5,000 works includes one of the most comprehensive glass collections in the world. After the museum we will see Opera House, will walk through the nice Northern Avenue towards the Republic Square, where we can enjoy the Large Dancing Water Fountains. From the Republic Square you will have a free time and then will be transferred to the Zvartnots International Airport.

Price Includes

Transportation, airport transfer, Yerevan city tour, entrance fees, overnight in 3-4* hotels, full board, as well the driver and guide services. The price is calculated for a group of 6 persons and is for double accommodation.